Motherhood

Laura's manipulations of Ralph throughout his life end up having a profound effect on Ralph and his mental health, as a child and as an adult. According to Abby, Laura took Ralph away from his father when he was a very young boy, claiming that he had "abused her emotionally, spiritually, mentally" and had "no regard" for Ralph (149). Even so, Ralph felt a compulsive need to try to "alleviate her guilt" about taking him away from his father, telling her that he is a "perfectly well-adjusted man" even after having been deprived of a father figure (150). Even as a child, Laura's behavior had a profound effect on Ralph. Apparently, Ralph had a breakdown when he was a child, and the doctors put a lot of the blame on "Laura's parenting style," attempting to "coach her on boundaries and codependency" (151). Laura dismisses the doctors, calling them "sexist...